Netherlands eyes infrastructure deals

India's intention to spend a whopping $320 billion in the next five years for infrastructure development had led countries like the Netherlands to reorient their policy towards India, said  Eric G Spaans from the ministry of transport, the Netherlands at an interactive session on Thursday. 

He is a part of a Dutch fact finding mission to India, which visited Mumbai and Delhi, before visiting Kolkata.

"The ministry of transport, the Netherlands will soon  come out with a new policy document for India, which will focus on  water transport and airport development in India", he said.

The Holland Marine Equipment Association, a consortium of 200 private Dutch companies, would get involved in  ports and inland waterways development for the Ganga, Bramhaputra and backwaters of Kerala, he said.

In this regard, the association recently met officials from the shipping ministry and the Port Authority of India, he informed.

The delegation also visited the Haldia port on Thursday,  said Spaans.

Camiel Eurlings, minister of transport, public works and water management, the Netherlands, would visit India next year, he said.

"Dutch companies are interested in providing dredging, vessel up gradation including ship building, training,  logistics and skill improvement facilities to India," said William de Graff, representative,  ministry of transport, the Netherlands.

Airport development was also on the top of the Dutch agenda, said  Spaans. He said, "Dutch company, Naco may get involved in the upgradation of the Mumbai airport," he added.

Rutger Koopmans, chairman, the Netherlands India chamber of commerce and trade said this year the focus countries for the chamber are Brazil, Turkey and India.

"Dutch companies like BAM construction and Volker vessels are keen in investing in Indian ship building industry," he added. 

He also said  Wageningen University may train Indian ship workers for skill improvement.

However, many big Dutch companies were apprehensive of investing in India as there were not many success stories, he said, adding, bureaucracy and red tapism in India also deterred  Dutch firms investing in India.

Apart form infrastructure development, several Dutch companies were interested providing technical support to  food Parks in India, said Graff.

"We are keen to develop agro parks in West Bengal, but we have to do feasibility study before we make a master plan," he added.